Top stories
Navy, Air Force cleared to fly Ospreys after inspecting gears
A cracked gear led to a November 2023 Osprey crash that killed eight airmen. The military is trying to see which Ospreys might risk a similar failure.
Air Force secretary: Elon Musk ‘not a warfighter,’ needs to learn more
The outgoing Air Force secretary threw shade at Musk after the key Trump adviser blasted crewed fighter jets.
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Your Air Force
Space Operations Command preps for new shared domain awareness tool
The remaining ATLAS software is slated for delivery in the first quarter of 2025.
Government funding bill clears Congress, averting a shutdown
The plan now goes to President Joe Biden, who is expected to quickly sign it into law.
Opinion
America must ‘honor the contract’ on veterans’ benefits
In this opinion piece, Al Lipphardt of VFW responds to a recent Economist article that labeled veterans' benefits as "absurdly generous."
Opinion
How ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy Holidays’ reflect US military values
In this op-ed, an Army chaplain discusses how the military's commitment to religious freedom demonstrates the principles troops are sworn to defend.
In other news
VA to resume new electronic health record rollout in mid-2026
The project was scheduled to take 10 years and cost $16 billion. Nearly eight years later, only six of VA’s 170-plus medical sites are using the software.
Featured Videos
Life of pie: Soldier charged with loan fraud in bakery boondoggle
The soldier has been charged for allegedly using a fraudulent pie business called “Granny’s Delight” to obtain COVID-related business relief loans.
Marine lights candles for romantic hotel surprise, sets room on fire
Update the safety brief.
By J.D. Simkins
Did a US F-22 shoot down a UFO? Photo of aerial object adds to mystery
A grainy image (it’s always a grainy image) of an object downed by an F-22 over Canada's Yukon territory has aviation (and UFO) enthusiasts chattering.
Air Force Falcons unveil glorious AFSOC-themed football unis
The Air Force just dropped some special edition football uniforms and they are certifiably fire.
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Special Episode - The Nature of Courage | Defense News Weekly Full Episode
In this special episode, we ask Medal of Honor recipients about the nature of bravery, and how everyday people can exhibit it in their own lives.
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MORE STORIES
China says US ‘playing with fire’ after latest military aid for Taiwan
The Chinese government continues to claim Taiwan as its territory and says it must come under its control.
Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in ‘friendly fire’ incident
"The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18."
By Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press
Government funding bill clears Congress, averting a shutdown
The plan now goes to President Joe Biden, who is expected to quickly sign it into law.
Navy, Air Force cleared to fly Ospreys after inspecting gears
A cracked gear led to a November 2023 Osprey crash that killed eight airmen. The military is trying to see which Ospreys might risk a similar failure.
Recruit to gunny: 1st Marine graduates from talent acquisition program
When Justin Kelley graduates today from Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, he’ll be a gunnery sergeant.
By Hope Hodge Seck
VA to resume new electronic health record rollout in mid-2026
The project was scheduled to take 10 years and cost $16 billion. Nearly eight years later, only six of VA’s 170-plus medical sites are using the software.
Air Force secretary: Elon Musk ‘not a warfighter,’ needs to learn more
The outgoing Air Force secretary threw shade at Musk after the key Trump adviser blasted crewed fighter jets.
Marines can now reenlist early, some for up to 15 years
Marine Corps initiatives have already yielded historic retention results, with the Corps hitting 114% of its annual retention goal in Fiscal Year 2024.
By Todd South
US troops doubled in Syria before Assad’s overthrow, Pentagon says
The surge of 1,100 troops to the country has been going on for months without being disclosed publicly.
West Point colonel arraigned again for alleged misconduct with cadets
Col. William Wright has been arraigned for a second time on charges related to alleged misconduct with a cadet.
By Riley Ceder
Suicides among veterans remain unchanged despite federal focus
The figures are the latest available from federal census data and suggest limited progress on the issue of suicide prevention by Veterans Affairs leaders.
Looming government shutdown could hurt military families, veterans
Plans to avert a partial government shutdown starting this weekend appeared scuttled after President-elect Donald Trump opposed the bipartisan deal.
Air Force expands waivers for recruits with asthma, food allergies
The waivers are part of an effort to boost recruitment numbers after the service failed to meet its recruiting goals in 2023.
By Riley Ceder
Live in the Tricare West Region? Do this before Dec. 31.
Beneficiaries in the West Region who don't provide recurring payment information could risk losing Tricare coverage.
By Karen Jowers
US Navy ‘wasted’ $1.8 billion on cruiser modernization program: Report
The report found that the Navy’s cruiser rehab program has had “weak oversight” and been “plagued with ... delays, wasted costs and poor-quality work.”
By Todd South
Special ops leaders eye alarming levels of adversary collaboration
China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are all finding ways to antagonize U.S. efforts.
By Todd South